The former director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer is to help Labour draw
up plans to give greater protection to rape victmis and abused children when
they appear in court

Rape victims and abused children could be given greater protections when questioned in court under plans to be drawn up by former chief prosecutor Keir Starmer, Labour said today.

Mr Starmer, QC, will also look at making it a legal obligation for the police and prosecutors to keep crime victims informed about the progress of investigations.

The former director of public prosecutions, who stood down in October this year and is now said to be keen to stand as a Labour candidate at the next election, will consider the changes as chair of a new taskforce set up by Ed Miliband to develop his party’s plans for a “victims’ law”.

This follows a number of high-profile cases where vulnerable witnesses have faced the harrowing ordeal of having to relive their experiences in detail under cross-examination in court.

Violinist Frances Andrade killed herself a week after giving evidence against former teacher Michael Brewer, who was later found guilty of indecently assaulting his pupil.

The mother-of-four was called a "liar" and a "fantasist" under cross-examination in court.

Concerns were also raised after a number of child victims faced questioning against members of a paedophile ring in Oxfordshire, leading to calls for pre-recorded cross-examinations and barristers to undergo compulsory training.

Mr Starmer said he would advise Labour on introducing legislation to tackle the problem, should it win power in 2015.

He said: “I am delighted to be involved in this crucial piece of work. Victims are entitled to have their rights clearly set out and enforced by a victims' law.

“This is a golden opportunity to recast the criminal justice system as a criminal justice service fit for victims.

“But it will only succeed if there is an attitude-shift across criminal justice. Those delivering criminal justice have been on the back foot for far too long when it comes to victims' rights."

The changes, which would replace the current "toothless" code of conduct for prosecutors and the police, could also see victims of crime given a named contact to get information about the progress of their cases.

Detailed proposals will be drawn up by Mr Starmer and fellow taskforce members including Labour peer Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, whose son Stephen was murdered by racist thugs, and Peter Neyroud, former chief constable of Thames Valley Police and a criminologist at Cambridge University.

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said the proposals, if implemented, would give the public greater confidence in the criminal justice system.

He said: "At the moment, there are a variety of codes and charters across various Government agencies which are toothless, confusing and inadequate.

"Whether it's the father of Milly Dowler treated in court like a criminal, the 13-year-old victim of sexual abuse labelled a 'sexual predator' by a judge, or the victim only finding out their attacker has been released from prison by bumping into them in the supermarket, our justice system is failing too many victims.

"Victims represent some of society's most vulnerable people. That's why we need nothing short of a transformation if we are to deliver a criminal justice service that supports members of the public who have been innocent victims of crime through no fault of their own."

Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "This Government has considerably improved the support given to vulnerable victims and witnesses in court, including trialling pre-recorded cross examination, strengthening support for child witnesses and investigating how we might reduce the distress caused from multiple cross examination.

"We have also made sure that, for the first time, victims of the most serious crimes, and all vulnerable and intimidated victims, get vital support like pre-trial therapy and counselling.

"A new victims' code introduced in December also sets out in plain English what people should expect from the moment they report a crime to the end of a trial and tells them who to demand it from if they are not offered it.

"It also gives victims the option to read out their personal statement and tell the court how crime has affected them for the very first time."